Margaret is rewarded for her charity work

Margaret Davidson with husband Billy

Motherwell woman Margaret Davidson has been rewarded for her services to the community in the New Year’s Honours list.

Margaret will visit Holyrood Palace in July to receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) after 50 years of raising funds for Cancer Research.

Nominated by her family for the honour Margaret admitted it came as quite a surprise when she found out last week.

She said: “I didn’t know anything about it until the letter came in, I wondered if it had been Cancer Research, but then my daughter Margaret told me it had been the family.

“I got to know May Morris who founded the local branch in 1952, and in 1964 she asked me to become involved.

“I had been helping her at Linnwood College and at the time I had three kids, but I spoke to my husband Billy and he said it would be a wee night out for me and I’ve been in it ever since.

“I took over as treasurer in 1976 and along with the president Catherine Hillock we recently worked out that we had raised approximately £163,000 since then.

“We held flag days, books stalls, house to house, ladies’ nights, Christmas raffles and marathons and although we are certainly slowing down, I’m 84 this year and Cathy is 94, we haven’t even discussed stopping yet.”

Margaret has received support in her efforts from Billy, her children George, Margaret, Lynn and Christopher, and grandchildren Ross, Ryan and Liam.

She said: “They have all done their bit over the years, and it’s been great fun.

“I never did it for this reward, I never expected it, but I must admit I am very excited by it all.”

Margaret has received letters of congratulation from Cathedral Primary, where she was president of the school committee, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Mushtaq Ahmad, and Motherwell and Wishaw’s MP Frank Roy and MSP John Pentland.

She said: “They were so lovely to receive and I can’t thank everyone enough for their well wishes.”